"Having felt the powers of Castle Grayskull at his fingertips and being able to show off immense strength like no other. It felt a rush for Adam, especially that it made him a part of something more than he's ever known in the past. Though it comes at a price since he's been hearing about how Keldor started to act differently around his classmates, especially with the staff he made back in Rumpelstiltskin's class. What took Adam by surprise was him being able to use magic whenever he desired with it affecting the rest of his body. Furthermore, how it was almost Legacy Day for everyone and with him becoming the champion of Grayskull, it seemed difficult for him to write his name in the Storybook of Legends due to his new occupation. It didn't mean that Keldor should have his destiny end up like his parents and serve the possible enemies for Eternianin the near future."
Morning-Dance Class
It was an early morning at Ever After High as well the students being tired and unable to say awake due to the class they were attending. It was story telling dancing, unlike most classes that have the instructors teaching the students about how their story would play out. This class in particular would have them move about which would show others how they would be portrayed. Whether it be majestic and fair like Snow White or frightening like the Evil Queen, but its also a way to keep the students active and alert for the morning. Adam was amongst the class which felt embarrassing since he wasn't the dancing type nor his friends, the only that seemed ready for it was Stratos who seemed eager to get started.
"I'm sure that someone is ready to tell their tale."
Teela stated since he's bragged about being king of Avion and roaming the skies of Eternia. The Avian prince merely smirked at her since he was up for the challenge, the others not so much since he noticed Cerise Hood keeping to herself from the class. Walking over to ask her if she was alright, Cerise growled at him which caused the prince to move back surprised by the sudden growl she gave him.
"Sorry. I just had trouble sleeping last night, especially with the wolves howling last night."
She apologized for reacting aggressively since most of the wildlife from both kingdoms share the forest and have lately caused an issue with the students sleeping at night. Nodding his head to the explanation behind her response, they heard the sudden of footsteps coming into the room as the students saw their instructor doing a flip before landing the table. The students were looking Jack B. Nimble, who was known for jumping over candlesticks as well the most graceful man of the kingdom.
"Greetings to all my students. I'm so eager for you to show me each of the stories you'll tell me with your moves and dancing."
Professor Jack greeted them and saw how each of them had a different expression for enjoying the class experience of dancing their story out. Most of them however weren't as enthusiastic as the rest since most of them will eventually become villains for the other stories. Including Raven, who was at the end of the row where she kept quiet due to how this felt personal towards her.
"Now then. Since this if the first time we have students from Eternia that will participating for us, who would like to demonstrate their moves. There's no judgement here, we're all here to see what your stories will be and what you'll represent in them."
He offered any the new students a chance to participate in performing first, whether or not they were good dancers. Stratos was the first to respond as he ran to the center of the class and desired to be the first. Professor Jack applauded for the young man's enthusiasm and proceeded to let him perform for everyone. Taking a moment to show off his wings to his classmates, he took a moment to move vigilantly around the room before taking off into the air. Just as everyone was captivated by the show, Raven took the moment to walk over to Adam's side where she got the prince's attention with her phone as she showed the news about a mysterious savior protecting Hunter and Ashlynn from an animal attack. Giving him a questionable look on possibly using his sword, Adam gestured to her that it was only for emergency and nothing else.
"Talk about him going all out. I haven't seen him like this back when played hover ball back in the royal court at your parents castle, right Adam?"
Teela commented how Stratos was putting on a show for them which annoyed her since she'd eventually would have to perform on becoming future captain of the king's army. Which would eventually be Adam's army, which it even made her stutter since he could sometimes mess up even if he means well. Just as the avian prince had finished his dance and landed gracefully on the ground, he suddenly noticed an applause from his classmates which made him smile at the support he was receiving. Though there was another set of clapping coming from the entrance where it was headmaster Grimm who came by to see how the class was going.
"Very impressive. It's a sight to see the next generation of students showing their talents and skill to represent the stories, they'll tell for everyone. And I mean, everyone."
Milton spoke out and towards Raven since he's recently heard about her not acting evil and being humble to everyone around her. Despite it being several days since her question about not following her destiny, it had started to slowly stir up murmuring if others could change their stories.
"It's fortunate for me to be here since I was curious about everyone's dances. Especially Ms. Raven's performance, it wouldn't be an issue now would it?"
He asked Professor Card if it was possible to see her show off her moves as well why she was meant to be the new Evil Queen. Noticing how many eyes were on her and the anxiety built up, the girl decided to oblige him since it could help settle the tension that was building up in the room.
"Knock them dead Raven! But not that dead, maybe partially so I can treat everyone to tea when the performance is done."
Maddie shouted to her friend to help support the dancing she'd do for the class. Feeling a bit of comfort from the mad girl and noticing several of the Eternian students raising their thumbs up in the air to help with starting her dance. Raven took a moment to breathe in before staring directly at the classroom with a glare since it seemed Grimm wanted to present herself as the new queen of evil. Which left her no choice but to oblige him as she slowly moved across the room with an ominous presence.
"Love is just a history that they may prove and when you're gone, I'll tell them my religion. When Punktious comes to kill the king upon his throne. I'm ready for their stones."
She started to sing to everyone around her as well as letting it guide her to use magic on the instruments around the room. The other classmates noticed it and moved to the side as they saw the items floating in midair. Most of them were scared due to how Raven wasn't even focused on the instruments but on her performance, in which her eyes blazed with magic as she stared at them.
"I'll dance, dance, dance. With my hands, hands, hands. Above my head, head, head, like Grimm said. I'm gonna dance, dance, dance. With my hands, hands, hands above my head. Hands together, forgive him before he's dead, because."
She stops for a moment for dramatic effect as Raven had caused the lights in the room to shut off in an instant. It caused everyone to get scared as the girl changed the colors of the lights into violet purple and had them shine upon her so she had everyone's attention.
"I won't cry for you! I won't crucify the things you do, I won't cry for you. See, when you're gone, I'll still be Raven Queen."
Calling out her name of how despite what she'll be to everyone, Raven will know her name as well let others know that she isn't just like her mother. The beat from the enchanted instruments made her peers want to join in with the dance but was quickly stopped by the headmaster since this was her dance and no one else's. Raven noticed and sighs towards Milton since he wanted to see if she was meant to be the new evil queen, though what she wanted was to get her dance over with.
"We are not just art for Professor Card to carve. He can't rewrite the aggro of my furied heart, I'll wait on mountain tops in Paris. Cold, J'veux pas mourir toute seule."
Raven spoke in French which caught people off guard as she circled around the room as it captivated her peers on the graceful performance she was doing. While the others were unable to participate in the dance, the others however could be involved since they were future villains in their stories. Teela was able to notice several of them that whispered silently and towards one another to wait until the right moment to come in and participate with Raven.
"I'll dance, dance, dance. With my hands, hands, hands. Above my head, head, head, like Grimm said. I'm gonna dance, dance, dance. With my hands, hands, hands above my head. Hands together, forgive him before he's dead, because."
Raven stops at the moment of singing as individuals that designed to join in were R'Qazz, Kronis, Evelyn and Faybelle. Taking a moment to realize that the four were content with being feared in their kingdoms, it wasn't a sign that she wanted to be like them. Though she only ignored the added participants of her dance and made the instruments play aggressively for the class.
"I won't cry for you! I won't crucify the things you do, do. Do! I won't cry for you. See, when you're gone, I'll still be Raven Queen."
Calling out her name before not intentionally causing the lights to flicker in a repeated manner. Building tension in the room and unable to see where the five were, the class suddenly see the lights flicker with the villainous students doing frighting faces towards them in the hopes of scaring them. The only ones that wasn't frightened was Adam and Teela who both felt like protecting the others, but it went away as Raven made the lights turn on which showed her restraining the four to show dominance and who was the one in charge.
"I won't cry for you! I won't crucify the things you do, do. Do! I won't cry for you. See, when you're gone, I'll still be Raven Queen!"
Her voice echoed as the song ended with Raven dropping the instruments to the ground and posing in the middle of class which captivated everyone for what she did. Having finished with her dance, the only one to applause at her performance was Apple White who was ecstatic at her singing and able to keep four trouble making students under her control. Even headmaster Grimm clapped his hands at the demonstration that Raven displayed of how to be in control of others that would be evil like herself.
"Well done Ms. Queen. Your mother herself had align with various people and monsters that were to believe unable to work together, it seems you might have found a group that fear you to follow any of your commands."
The headmaster stated which made Raven upset since it felt like it made everyone think that she'd enjoy embracing her mother's instincts in being frightful. During the compliments that she was receiving, Cerise was able to hear the sound of howling from the forest which sounded like several wolves in pain.
"Professor Card? Is it possible to be excused? My mother just texted me, its a family emergency."
She requested to leave which the professor did so as the bell soon rung which indicated that class was finished. The students grabbed their things before heading out to grab lunch or back to their dorm rooms, Adam was the last one to leave as he was soon stopped by the headmaster who wanted to speak to him privately.
"Prince Adam. While I'm sure your excited for Legacy Day and having your parents see you rise to power, there's an issue about your cousin that's recently caught my attention."
He started off the conversation about when his parents seeing him writing his name in the Storybook and becoming the new king of Eternos. Then to change the subject about Keldor who had recently started to act up around his peers since he's started to use magic. He pulled out his phone to show Adam how Keldor had been starting mischief amongst his peers, which involved him using the new ram staff he made in class.
"Despite your family helping him through rough times after defeating Eternia's enemies. It seems that there could be a potential one revealing himself. I hope you can find a way to steer him back to being a force for good. Otherwise, it seems that his story will lead him into becoming a villain."
Advising him on that while everyone's destinies was determined within the Storybook and couldn't be avoided, Keldor's could have been a new one where he could avoid following his parents roles in being evil servants. While it sounded crude and Adam wanting to respond back in a passive aggressive tone that he wouldn't let his cousin become evil, the prince nodded in response of making sure he keep Keldor away from any temptations of causing trouble. With the two going their separate ways, they didn't notice by the shadows was Keldor who was using his staff to keep himself cloaked and was eavesdropping on the conversation.
"They think they believe I'm tempted to follow my parents footsteps? The fools."
He spoke to himself as his skeletal hand continued to glow as well as his staff as he made his way back to his room to continue his readings about the magic his parents studied. While also mentally preparing himself if his good will cousin wanted to 'convince' him into stop using his staff, since it could mean that Adam was scared that he'd be strong enough to be king of Eternos. Though for the meanwhile, all he could do was wait if he was confronted by him or his peers.
Later-Enchanted Forest
Having been able to make her way into the forest to see where the howling was coming from. Cerise had arrived right in the middle of the forest where she looked around to see if there were any wolves in need of aid since she'd taken classes on medicine and healing, just as the red hooded girl looked around to see if there were any signs of them. There was a sudden growl coming from the bush which caught Cerise's attention as she prepared herself for might be hiding from her sight. Before having the chance to see what was looking at her, Cerise was caught off guard by a wolf pup jumping out and landing right onto her.
"Carmine?"
She called out her name as the pup started to lick her face in excitement which made Cerise laugh at how compassionate he was being. Not noticing how the pup's excitement caused her hood to come off to show a set of wolf ears exposing her as a hybrid between wolf and human. Noticing her ears out, she quickly covers them and pets the wolf's head on how it was a surprise on seeing him here.
"You shouldn't be out here alone and away from the pack."
Cerise reminded the young wolf about how it was dangerous to be on his own and away from his parents. Though the wolf whimpered to her about something terrible happening with his parents as he rushed off to the other part of the forest which left Cerise to follow after him. Not understanding what was going on, she continued to follow the wolf until he suddenly stops at a nearby log where someone was sitting down and keeping to themselves. Despite not looking threatening, Carmine was growling at who might be posing as a potential threat.
"Hello?"
She called out to the stranger as it was Raven who had seemed to be out here by herself to get away from the school. Noticing Cerise and the young wolf staring at her as well as being confused at her being out her alone, the purple haired girl took a moment to adjust herself before she could respond to Cerise.
"Oh. Hey Cerise, guess your friend isn't fond of soon to be evil queens. I just had to get some space away from everyone back at Ever After High."
Raven explained about her being here alone in the forest since Cerise noticed how she acted back at the classroom with not enjoying dancing in front of everyone and them believing she enjoyed it. The girl kept her wolf companion calm and expressed to him that Raven wasn't a threat or needing to be afraid of. Walking over to sit by her side, Carmine noticed how she wasn't as threatening as he thought but upset. It left the wolf to hop onto her lap to try and comfort her.
"If its alright to ask. Is it about becoming the new evil queen?"
Cerise asked out of curiosity on how for a while that she's heard about the rumors of her not wanting to be the new Evil Queen was that of exaggeration. It seemed likely that this was the honest truth and her not wanting to end up like her mother.
"Despite the numerous times that I've tried to tell everyone that I'm not interested, it seems impossible to tell them without being told I could disappear out of existence if I don't follow my story. No offense since your story will likely be to take up your mom's name and deliver food who need it."
Responding on Cerise's possibly story since her mother, Red Riding Hood started her own business of delivering baskets to people who required food or any supplies that would be impossible to enquire. While it seemed like a destiny that would be suitable to anyone since it wasn't big and fully of expectations, Cerise's face told another story which caught Raven's attention.
"Actually. We might be in the same boat of not wanting to share our parents stories."
Cerise said which made it seemed that she would be against following in her mom's path as Raven gave the hooded girl her attention to see what she meant by that. Just as the two continued their conversation, Carmine noticed another scent in the forest which caused him to growl towards an actual threat that was looming in the woods. The girls noticed the young pup's growling as they soon felt what seemed like something watching them and waiting for the right moment to leap out of their hiding spot.
"How good is Carmine's nose in knowing a larger animal?"
Raven asked Cerise if the pup knew what was considered an enemy as the hooded girl nodded slowly before standing up before seeing what looked like an animal that came from Eternia. Pushing down a tree to show its immense strength, they were staring at what looked like the combination of a gorilla mixed with a yeti. Its fur was black and had a single head over its head with a set of red eyes staring at them.
"A shadow beast. But that's impossible, they only appear when its pitch black. The sun hurts them."
She called out the creature's name as Raven had heard about them as well from her mother's stories on taming the natural predators of Eternia. Shadow beasts were considered hostile and unable to be tamable due to their aggressive personality and weakness to the sun. Snarling directly at Raven with a curious fascination with her, Cerise had no choice but to remove her hood to show off her wolf ears and growl directly at the beast to not be frightened by its size and strength.
"Cerise?"
Raven spoke in confusion of her being half wolf as Cerise was focused on protecting Raven since it seemed the beast was intent on her. Before it had the chance to attack her, they heard the sound of a tree being cut down behind them which exposed that of the sunlight above them. Its light touched the shadow beast's body which started to sizzle on contact, moving away from the light and roared at the hostility it was being given. It looked over to see He Man by the side and responsible for making the light appear over it.
"If you can understand words, then I suggest you leave before I start making a clear sight for the sky to appear around us."
He spoke towards the beast as it snarled at the sword wielding man as it could tell he wasn't lying since he didn't need to fight him. Looking back at Raven, the creature retreated back into the shadows and away from them to avoid the confrontation. Walking over to check if the girls were alright, He Man noticed the girl's wolf ears which caught him off by surprise since he didn't know that she was half wolf.
"Thank you for the save but. Is it possible you don't tell anyone about this? It's not exactly a thing I talk about with anyone since its a personal topic."
Cerise requested that he'd keep this secret which he responded since he knew a thing about keeping secrets. Especially when she pulled out a silver locket that showed her parents, including her father who was Professor Wolf. Meaning that she was the child of a heroine and villain from the same story, which was against the rules as well forbidden for the two to ever be together.
"I promise I won't tell anyone. And our mystery savior here can do the same in return, right?"
Raven promised her on keeping this quiet to which He Man agreed since they knew how to keep secrets. Though that topic would have to be on hold for why an aggressive and dangerous beast would come out in the middle of the day and make contact with the students, especially taking an interest in Raven. Hopefully Orko could help look into it since he knew about mystical animals, and maybe to help find a to help Keldor avoid becoming something that he'd have to fight in the near future.
The song used for the chapter was 'Bloody Mary' by Lady Gaga. All rights to the song belong to her, comment down below to see what could happen later on. Until then, see you soon.